2006 Caucus FAQ

What is a “Precinct Caucus?"

In a Precinct Caucus, members of a Political Party that live in a geographic area, or “precinct,” gather to discuss Party business. It is a sub-meeting of the larger county Party as a whole. In many areas of Washington State, it would be impractical to have all people in any one county, who consider themselves Democrats, meet together at the same time.

When are our Precinct Caucuses in 2006, and what business do they do?

We will meet in all our individual precincts across the state on March 4th, 2006, at 2:00 p.m. In each meeting, we will allocate and elect delegates and alternates to the County Conventions proportionate to that precinct’s support for John Kerry and Christine Gregoire in 2004. These delegates and alternates will also serve as delegates and alternates to Legislative District Caucuses. Precinct committee officers (PCOs) serving prior to January 31, 2006, will be automatic delegates to their County Convention and Legislative District Caucus in addition to the allocated delegates. In such cases, an additional alternate may be elected.

Even more important, we will discuss the political issues of the day and pass resolutions indicating the meeting’s official position on those issues. Finally, we will re-establish relationships with Democrats in each community and begin building and strengthening the organization for next year’s campaigns. This meeting forms the ideological and organizational base for the Party for the next two years. Election of delegates shall not begin until at least 2:30 p.m., and the caucus cannot be closed until at least 3:00 p.m.

What happens with the results of these Precinct Caucuses?

Delegates and alternates are elected go on to represent that precinct at County Conventions and Legislative District Caucuses, where delegates are elected to the State Convention (proportionate to the 2004 John Kerry/Chris Gregoire support), and County and District Platforms are adopted. Counties and Districts collect and review the resolutions from Precincts, and use them to craft the proposed language of those Platforms. Delegates from the Precincts then vote on the individual Platform items (planks). County Conventions will occur on April 8, 2006. Legislative District Caucuses will occur on April 22, 2006.

Delegates elected at this County and Legislative District level go on to consider and vote on a statewide Party Platform, re-establishing our Party’s ideological basis for the next two years. Those State Delegates and Alternates will attend the Congressional District Caucuses and State Convention in Yakima on June 3, 2006.

In addition to the elected delegates, the following individuals are automatic delegates to the State Convention: all State Committee members, County Chairs, Congressional District Chairs, Legislative District Chairs, Democratic Members of Congress from Washington State, Democratic Statewide Elected Officials and Democratic State Senators and Representatives.

What exactly happens at a Precinct Caucus? How does it work?

Each Precinct Caucus is individually convened (by a PCO if one holds office in that precinct or by someone designated by the County or District chair if not) at exactly 2:00 p.m. All eligible attendees (registered voters in the precinct willing to declare that they are Democrats) sign in. Official rules of the meeting are read aloud for all to hear, a chair of the meeting is elected by those attending, and a recording secretary is appointed. Often, letters of greeting from Senior Party or Elected Officials are read to the group and questionnaires, intended to get attendees opinions about major issues, are distributed and tallied.

At approximately 2:30 p.m., the preliminary number of the Precinct’s eligible delegates, determined by the proportionate support for John Kerry and Christine Gregoire in 2004, is announced. The Precinct then elects its delegates.

The members of the Precinct then consider issues and party philosophy, voting on and passing resolutions, as they want, to reflect the group’s views.

Notice is sent to the County and State Party of the meeting outcome, noting delegates and alternates elected and issue and philosophy positions taken. Delegates and alternates are then officially notified of dates and times of the County and Legislative District Caucuses.

Who can go? Who can vote? Who can be elected a delegate or alternate?

Anyone can attend a Caucus. Those who are registered voters in that Precinct (or who live in the Precinct and will be old enough to register to vote in the November election), who sign a statement indicating they consider themselves Democrats, and who are willing to be publicly known as such, may speak and vote. Those that attend, but who do not meet these requirements, may be allowed to speak with the permission of the group. Those who can vote, as noted above, may be elected as delegates or alternates from that Precinct.

A person may be elected who is not in attendance, if they are a registered voter in the Precinct, indicate they consider themselves to be Democrats and are willing to be known as such, and provide a signed letter seeking election as a delegate or alternate.

The Caucus system is truly a grassroots system. It is extremely important that citizens become involved in this step of the process so that their voices are heard. To become a PCO and assist in running a Precinct Caucus, please contact your local Democratic Party. You can find the contact information for your local Democratic Party by visiting the State Democratic Party web site at http://www.wa-democrats.org.

If you have any further questions, please contact State Party Executive Director Jaxon Ravens at (206) 583-0664 or jaxon@wa-democrats.org.